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Microsoft has announced it will purchase Chicago-based Parlano, maker of MindAlign, an application for corporate group chat.

Microsoft plans to add Parlano's group chat application as a new feature of Microsoft Office Communications Server and Microsoft Office Communicator, Microsoft's server and client software for presence, instant messaging, conferencing and VoIP.

"Parlano has been successful in meeting the rigorous communications needs of companies in financial services and other vertical markets," said Gurdeep Singh Pall, corporate vice president of the Unified Communications Group at Microsoft.

"Parlano's expertise and technology, added to Microsoft's unified communications offering, will deliver customers the most complete presence, instant messaging and group chat solution on the market."

Parlano's MindAlign corporate chat application began as a tool to allow traders in separate locations communicate market information. The chat application is used by companies in a number of industries, including financial services, call centers and technology.

"Parlano has helped many organizations enhance operations, improve service delivery and increase sales through more effective ongoing group communication, collaboration and knowledge sharing," said Nick Fera, chairman and chief executive officer of Parlano.

Financial terms of the purchase were not released. The deal is scheduled to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2007. Following the closing of the acquisition, members of the Parlano team will join the Unified Communications Group at Microsoft's Redmond, Washington campus.